Abstract
The rise and dominance of business groups in the emerging economies have been so far described by the institutional void logic. However, this undermines the internal strengths and motivations possessed by the business families that control the majority of such business groups in many countries like India. In this chapter, we introduce the family logic behind the persistence of family business groups and show how family-level interests can also drive strategic choices including innovations. We take help of different cases from the Indian context to illustrate this perspective and conclude that family business groups would continue to thrive even if the institutional environment improves.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahuja, G. (2000). Collaboration networks, structural holes, and innovation: A longitudinal study. Administrative Science Quarterly, 45, 425–455. https://doi.org/10.2307/2667105
Bang, N. P., Bhatia, N., Ray, S., & Ramachandran, K. (2020). Family businesses and India’s transition to a services led economy (1991–2018). Indian School of Business.
Berrone, P., Cruz, C., & Gomez-Mejia, L. R. (2012). Socioemotional wealth in family firms: Theoretical dimensions, assessment approaches, and agenda for future research. Family Business Review, 25(3), 258–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486511435355
Bertrand, M., & Schoar, A. (2006). The role of family in family firms. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 20(2), 73–96. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.20.2.73
Bertrand, M., Johnson, S., Samphantharak, K., & Schoar, A. (2008). Mixing family with business: A study of Thai business groups and the families behind them. Journal of Financial Economics, 88(3), 466–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2008.04.002
Boeker, W. (1989). Strategic change: The effects of founding and history. Academy of Management Journal, 32(3), 489–515.
Chang, S. J., & Hong, J. (2000). Economic performance of group-affiliated companies in Korea: Intragroup resource sharing and internal business transactions. Academy of Management Journal, 43(3), 429–448.
Chittoor, R., & Das, R. (2007). Professionalization of management and succession performance—A vital linkage. Family Business Review, 20(1), 65–79.
Chittoor, R., Kale, P., & Puranam, P. (2015). Business groups in developing capital markets: Towards a complentarity perspective. Strategic Management Journal, 36, 1277–1296. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj
Cowan, R., & Jonard, N. (2009). Knowledge portfolios and the organization of innovation networks. Academy of Management Review, 34(2), 320–342. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMR.2009.36982634
Davenport, T. H., Leibold, M., & Voelpel, S. C. (2007). Strategic management in the innovation economy: Strategic approaches and tools for dynamic innovation capabilities. John Wiley & Sons.
De Massis, A., Frattini, F., & Lichtenthaler, U. (2013). Research on technological innovation in family firms: Present debates and future directions. Family Business Review, 26, 10–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486512466258
Dutta, S. (1997). Family business in India. Sage Publications.
Friedman, S. D. (1991). Sibling relationships and intergenerational succession in family firms. Family Business Review, 4(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.1991.00003
Goes, J. B., & Park, S. H. (1997). Interorganisational links and innovation: The case of hospital services. Academy of Management Journal, 40(3), 673–696.
Gómez-Mejía, L. R., Haynes, K. T., Núñez-Nickel, M., Jacobson, K. J. L., & Moyano-Fuentes, J. (2007). Socioemotional wealth and business risks in family-controlled firms: Evidence from Spanish olive oil mills. Administrative Science Quarterly, 52, 106–137.
Granovetter, M. (1995). Coase revisited: Business groups in the modern economy. Industrial and Corporate Change, 4(1), 93–130. https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/4.1.93
Greve, H. R. (2003). A behavioral theory of R&D expenditures and innovations: Evidence from shipbuilding. Academy of Management Journal, 46(6), 685–702.
Hess, A. M., & Rothaermel, F. T. (2011). When are assets complementary? Star scientists, strategic alliances, and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Strategic Management Journal, 32, 895–909. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj
Khanna, T., & Palepu, K. (2000a). Is group affiliation profitable in emerging markets? An analysis of diversified Indian business groups. Journal of Finance, 55(2), 867–891.
Khanna, T., & Palepu, K. (2000b). The future of business groups in emerging markets: Long-run evidence from Chile. Academy of Management Journal, 43(3), 268–285.
Koiranen, M. (2002). Over 100 years of age but still entrepreneurially active in business: Exploring the values and family characteristics of old Finnish family firms. Family Business Review, 15(3), 175–187. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.2002.00175.x
Li, Q., Magiitti, P. G., Smith, K. G., Tesluk, P. E., & Katila, R. (2013). Top management team attention to innovation: The role of search selection and intentsity in new product introductions. Academy of Management Journal, 56(3), 893–916. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.0844
Lisak, A., Erez, M., Sui, Y., & Lee, C. (2016). The positive role of global leaders in enhancing multicultural team innovation. Journal of International Business Studies, 47(6), 655–673. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-016-0002-7
Manikutty, S. (2000). Family business groups in India: A resource-based view of the emerging trends. Family Business Review, 13(4), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.2000.00279
Masulis, R. W., Pham, P. K., & Zein, J. (2011). Family business groups around the world: Costs and benefits of pyramids. Review of Financial Studies, 24, 3556–3600. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1363878
Powell, W. W., Koput, K. W., & Smith-Doerr, L. (1996). Interorganizational collaboration and the locus of innovation: Networks of learning in biotechnology. Administrative Science Quarterly, 41(1), 116–145. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393988
Ramachandran, J., Manikandan, K. S., & Pant, A. (2013). Why conglomerates thrive. Harvard Business Review, 1–11.
Ray, S., & Bhadra, S. (2021). Indian family firms in an emerging digital economy: An analysis of digital technology adoption. In H.-D. Yan & F.-L. T. Yu (Eds.), The Routledge companion to Asian family business (1st ed., pp. 445–460). Routledge.
Reay, T. (2009). Family-business meta-identity, institutional pressures, and ability to respond to entrepreneurial opportunities. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(6), 1265–1270.
Reay, T., Jaskiewicz, P., & Hinings, C. R. (2015). How family, business, and community logics shape family firm behavior and “rules of the game” in an organizational field. Family Business Review, 28(4), 292–311. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486515577513
Stinchcomb, A. L. (1965). Social structure and organizations. In J. G. March (Ed.), Handbook of organizations (pp. 142–194). Rand-McNally & Co.
Sundaramurthy, C., & Kreiner, G. E. (2008). Governing by managing identity boundaries: The case of family businesses. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 32(3), 415–436. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2008.00234.x
Tripathi, D. (2004). The Oxford history of Indian business. Oxford University Press.
Vissa, B., Greve, H. R., & Chen, W.-R. (2010). Business group affiliation and firm search behavior in India: Responsiveness and focus of attention. Organization Science, 21(3), 696–712. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bhadra, S., Ray, S., Manikutty, S., Ramachandran, K. (2023). Family Business Groups in India: Perspectives on Their Roles, Strategies, and Innovations. In: Rautiainen, M., Parada, M.J., Pihkala, T., Akhter, N., Discua Cruz, A., Mukherjee, K. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Managing Family Business Groups. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13206-3_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13206-3_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-13205-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-13206-3
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)